Gastric emptying of solids in normal children—a preliminary report

Abstract

Objective The physiological range of gastric emptying in healthy children has not previously been documented. The aim of this study was to establish the range of normal gastric emptying in children aged between 5 and 10 years with a Tc 99m–labelled solid meal acceptable to most of the children. Methods A list of 7 child-friendly foods was compiled. Thirty-one children aged 5 to 10 years completed a questionnaire, ranking their favourite food choices. A volume survey, to decide the weight of solid meal for the study, was carried out in 20 children. After ethical approval, gastric emptying was monitored in healthy children aged 5 to 10 years with a 99mTc-labelled solid meal selected by the methodology given hereinabove. Geometric mean counts were obtained from anterior and posterior gamma camera images, and data were used to produce normal emptying curves. In each case, a T 1/2 gastric emptying time (time taken to empty half the stomach contents) was calculated. Results The overall preference was a chocolate Technecrispy cake, and the volume survey suggested a 30-g weight for the study. Twenty-four subjects consumed the meal and completed the study. The mean T 1/2 gastric emptying time was 107.2 minutes (2 SD; range, 54.6-159.8 minutes). Conclusions Chocolate Technecrispy cake was acceptable to most healthy children between 5 and 10 years of age and gave mean T 1/2 gastric emptying time of 107.2 minutes. This meal can now be used for paediatric patients with transit problems.